What is 3D printing? How much does it cost to 3D print and how long does 3D printing take?
3D printing is the fastest and often most affordable solution if you need small volumes, our minimum order is one part. Additive Engineering can help guide you on which 3D printer, 3D printing materials and 3D printing technology. The team has worked extensively with plastic, resin 3D printing and 3D metal printing technologies to advise you on best 3D printing options. There are other types of 3D printing besides fused deposition modeling. For an instant quote estimate, all we need is a STEP file and your choice of 3D printing material and our 3D printing software will do the rest.
Don’t have a 3D model? 3D CAD design, 3D scanning and 3D modelling are options depending on the complexity. Your 3D model may need fixing before the 3D printing process. Need precision with better surface finish quality for your plastic parts? SLS nylon without support structures could yield better results than the layer effect from fused deposition modeling plastic. Scaling up from one 3D printed object to production parts? Barring complex geometries and depending on volumes, CNC machining, injection molding are alternatives.
For your next 3D printing project and a professional 3D printing service, contact Additive Engineering today.
Every 3D printed model starts with a 3D design file. If you have an idea for a new design and have access a similar 3D object, 3D scanning to adjust a 3D model is usually faster for the first prototype, factor in additional 3D design time to make adjustments.
Not all 3D printers are created equal. There are nuances across 3D printing technology, materials and 3D printers. Just as not all SLS nylon have the same properties, it is even more so with metal 3D printing. Whether it is a large format or precision 3D printer, the Additive Engineering team has the expertise and access to production quality 3D printers.
There are hundreds of 3D printing technologies across the 5 main categories of Polymers, Metal, Composites, Ceramics and Hydrogels, of which powder bed fusion sits across both metal and polymer applications.
For Polymer, Stereolithography is the oldest process and the most accessible process for printing at home are filament-filament based ones. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is one of the more established powder-based processes for industrial applications such as aerospace, medical, automotive and electronics. This process does not require support structures and is one of the fastest and most cost-efficient ways of manufacturing production quality plastic products without tooling investment.
There are many powder bed fusion technologies for metal 3D printing, of which Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM) or Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) have been around for as long as metal 3D printing has existed.
DMLM is an additive manufacturing process that uses lasers to melt ultra-thin layers of metal powder to build complex 3D objects. A CAD model generates a STL file which is then sliced with software to be uploaded to a machine to build the part one cross section layer at a time. The use of a laser fully melts selective sections in the layer of metal powder to form complex end use parts that are fine, dense and homogenous. Parts build using DMLM have excellent mechanical properties and are comparable to wrought materials, high detail resolution and exceptional surface quality. The final metal parts require little, if any, finishing.
While DMLS is often used to refer to both processes, DMLS uses lasers to heat particles below melting point so they adhere to one another. DMLM while similar, has the material completely melted to create ultra -thin liquid pools, which solidify as they cool. DMLM is becoming the preferred method where complete melting occurs.
Many medical implants are based on traditionally manufactured components that are then pre-bent to be customised to the patient. Additive Engineering 3D prints patient-specific implants using CT scan files that are converted to 3D printeable files. This streamlined digital workflow can minimise turnaround to days, especially for emergency surgeries. Scan to surgery implants designed for the individual patients als improves surgery outcomes as well as patient’s recovery.
Have a similar short turnaround for your project?
Advanced manufacturing requires the use of innovative technology to improve products
Additive Engineering is a member of the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC). Our team is experienced in rapid prototyping, conventional manufacturing for production parts such as CNC machining, injection moulding, vacuum casting and a range of 3D printing / additive manufacturing technologies that have been tried and tested in aerospace airworthy parts as well as medical devices.
Whether your requirements involve one prototype, transitioning from traditional manufacturing processes or 3D printing a complex lattice structure, the Additive Engineering team has the expertise in both traditional manufacturing methods and additive manufacturing processes to advise on the optimal manufacturing method for your parts.
To meet the stringent requirements of both medical, electronics and aerospace customers, the facility set up is modelled to manufacture parts in a clean-room environment with the objective to meet the highest standards as required by industries.
Additive Engineering utilises industry proven 3D printers such as EOS and GE Concept Laser printers to 3D print repeatable products with high surface quality and outputs the finest part structures. The Additive Engineering team can assist you in improving design for additive manufacturing in complex components that are too difficult and costly to manufacture using subtractive manufacturing methods.
Drawing on our extensive knowledge in materials from GE and EOS to our industry experience in the medical industry, we combine design, simulation, additive manufacturing, heat treatment, testing, sterilisation and packaging to ensure the complete part is delivered, ready to be used.
Materials we can additively manufacture include:
If there is a metal alloy or material that is not listed, contact us to discuss your 3D print service requirements.
